XII.
I
Birds in the high Hall-garden
When twilight was falling,
Maud, Maud, Maud, Maud,
They were crying and calling
II
Where was Maud? in our wood;
And I, who else, was with her,
Gathering woodland lilies,
Myriads blow together.
III
Birds in our wood sang
Ringing thro' the valleys,
Maud is here, here, here
Like the call of the little birds.
In among the lilies.
IV
I kiss'd her slender hand,
She took the kiss sedately;
Maud is not seventeen,
But she is tall and stately.
V
I to cry out on pride
Who have won her favour!
O Maud were sure of Heaven
If lowliness could save her.
VI
I know the way she went
Home with her maiden posy,
For her feet have touch'd the meadows
And left the daisies rosy.
Because if you tread on the daisy, it turns up
a rosy underside.
VII
Birds in the high Hall-garden
Were crying and calling to her,
Where is Maud, Maud, Maud?
One is come to woo her.
VIII
Look, a horse at the door,
And little King Charley snarling,
Go back, my lord, across the moor,
You are not her darling.
